Pole climber



H. E. SHAW POLE CLIMBER Nov. 19, 1935.

Filed April 9, 1955 HARRY E. Sr/4w Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to climbing devices, such as are used in climbing metal columns or beams, being strapped to the'feet of a man to enable him to climb especially a flanged metal column without danger of slipping.

It will be found useful by structural steel workers in climbing the work, and has for its object to provide an improved device of this kind which can be used particularly on reinforced beams, being in this respect an improvement on the similar device shown for example in the patent to Bates No. 1,260,856. By reinforced beams or columns is meant those which in addition to the flanges of an ordinary I-beam for example, have reinforcing flanges, usually projecting laterally and inwardly from the ordinary flanges.

Another object of the invention is to increase the safety factor of such devices by providing a hooked part which will extend around a supplemental flange, and further by the provision of a rigid and substantial backing for one of the members which engage the beam, by backing up the gripping block and preventing the shearing of the bolt which holds the same.

A further object is to provide improved means for preventing the gripping block from turning or slipping out of position.

With these and other objects in view the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one of the devices. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing a pair of the devices applied to a reinforced column.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 6 indicates a foot plate or bar to which is riveted a heel plate I and a sole plate 8. At its rear corners the former has upturned flanges 9 to which attaching straps I are secured, and to the sole plate is secured a foot strap H, the straps being used to fasten the device on the shoe of the wearer. The front end of the main or base bar 6 is providedat its outer side with an extended arm l2 of considerable length, and at its outer end the bar i2 is bent laterally as indicated at I3, and then inwardly as indicated at M, terminating in a socket I5 which receives a pin Hi the point of which is substantially in line with the inner edge ll of the bar 6. The pin I6 is held in place by a cotter l8 through its shank.

The bar 6 will be forged or made in proper shape to stand the strain incident to the use of the device, the extension l4, in particular, being disposed at an angle to the line of the arm l2, as shown particularly in Fig. 2.

The front end of the base bar 6, adjacent the junction therewith of the arm [2, is provided with a shoulder l9, which is notched or recessed angularly across its face, as indicated at 20, to receive one corner of a square gripping block or 5 member 2|, which rests in the notch and is thereby prevented from rocking or turning, and holds the opposite corner of the gripping block in position to engage the flange of the beam, in vertical line with and somewhat below the point of en- 10 gagement of the pin iii. The block is further held in position by a'bolt 22 which extends through the arm I 2 and into the block, which is tapped at one end to engage the threads of the bolt. The surface of the shoulder I9 is preferably milled to prevent the block turning, and the block has a boss 30 at the inner end to accommodate it to the corner of the arm and notch.

In Fig. 3 a pair of the devices are shown applied to the extension or reinforcement 25 of an I-beam It will be seen that the arm l2 and its extensions l3 and I4 form arelatively deep hook which will engage .around the wider inwardly projecting flange of such a reinforcement, a result which is not possible with the device shown in the Batespatent for example. Nevertheless the devices can be used on the flanges of an ordinary I-beam, for

example.

Also it will be seen that the backing afforded to the gripping block 2| prevents shearing of the bolt 22; and also, engagement of the block in the notch 20 prevents turning of the block, which would be dangerous in use. These features add greatly to the safety of the devices, which is important in practical use. Also the line of strain or pressure is located in such position that there is no tendency for the climber to rock or twist.

The mode of use is quite obvious and. well understood, and the improvements provide material advantages which will be quite apparent to workers in the art.

The invention is not limited to the exact or particular form shown or described, but various changes may be made Within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A climber comprising a foot bar having a hook provided with a rearwardly presented point 5 p at its end, a shoulder at the front end of the foot bar, and a gripping block resting at its side against said shoulder and fastened to the bar.

2. A climber comprising a foot bar having at its I front end a forwardly projecting hooked arm terminating in a rearwardly directed point, a shoulhaving corners, and the shoulder having a. notch der at the front end of the foot bar, adjacent the engaging one of said corners.

junction of said am therewith, and a. gripping 4. A climber as in claim 2, the gripping block block secured to the arm and resting at its rear being seated in the corner formed by the arm and 5 side against said shoulder. said shoulder.

3. A climber as in claim 2, the gripping block HARRY E. SHAW. 

